"Cell Phones Are Dangerous in Flight: Myth, or Fact?" -20/20
- Thread starter AuntBee09
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N_Jay
Guest
AuntBee09 said:
More poor reporting by people who don't even know what questions to ask.
topnik
Member
Myth...
robsterw
Member
Does it really matter if it is dangerous or not?
Shouldn't the real question be, would you be able to stand jabba da hut sitting next to you blabbering about where he is, and what everybody else is doing in the cabin. I mean c'mon!
"Ohhh I'm flying over the rockies now. Check it out, (*camera phone snaps a picture across your space towards the window*)
I'm sending it to you right now. Yeah. I know. It's slow but it should be there any second now..... "
Combine that with the luscious intoxication of alcohol, and you've got one helluva time.
If I was a frequent traveler, I'd much rather take a stranger sitting next to me who's either really friendly or really quiet. Not some one sided conversation that goes on endlessly. Sorry boys.
Shouldn't the real question be, would you be able to stand jabba da hut sitting next to you blabbering about where he is, and what everybody else is doing in the cabin. I mean c'mon!
"Ohhh I'm flying over the rockies now. Check it out, (*camera phone snaps a picture across your space towards the window*)
I'm sending it to you right now. Yeah. I know. It's slow but it should be there any second now..... "
Combine that with the luscious intoxication of alcohol, and you've got one helluva time.
If I was a frequent traveler, I'd much rather take a stranger sitting next to me who's either really friendly or really quiet. Not some one sided conversation that goes on endlessly. Sorry boys.
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N_Jay
Guest
topnik said:
Hu????:roll:
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N_Jay
Guest
robsterw said:
The real question has nothing to do with the social aspects. (yet they are brought up every time)
Personally, if you want to introduce the social aspects of flying we would insist that;
First, the bomb sniffing machines be reset for body odor and not let anyone on a plane who fails.
Second, the metal detectors should be exactly the same width as the seats and you can not pass if you touch the sides.
Third, you should be allowed to fully recline your seat on to anyone who kicks the back of it twice.
Fourth, The flight attendants should have their salaries cut and work for tips to remind them it is a customer service job.
fineshot1
Member
topnik said:
Not a myth. I worked in the cellular industry from 1990 to 6/2000 for two major local cell companies and worked with rf engineers and got some good inside poop & war stories from them. In addition using a cell phone in an aircraft can also cause havoc in the cellular network itself as cell sites and cell phones are designed to keep rf emissions down to minimum levels to reduce rf noise and interference. Using a cell phone from such a high vantage point is in direct contrast to how cell networks are operated. When ever we went on a business trip with the cellular rf engineers in and airplane they were the first to finish there cell calls and turn off their cell phones before the plane left the terminal. I think that speaks for itself.
robsterw
Member
N_Jay said:
hahahaha! oh my god.......that was awesome.
nicely done jay, nicely done.
wannabescannist
Member
N_Jay said:
You're on fire!
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N_Jay
Guest
The FAA rules do not reference cellphones.AuntBee09 said:
They are about TRANSMITTERS, and to rule out that any particular transmitter will or will not interfere with any particular set of avionics is proving a negative and can not be done.
The idea that newer avionics are better shielded, may help with interference outside the desired avionics frequencies, but you must understand that many of the avionics systems are INTENTIONAL receivers, and require the proper reception of VERY WEAK signals.
This has all been well discussed in other threads.
After a midair over Manhatten between a United Airliner and a TWA Connie (if I recall the type correctly), the source of one of the aircraft's being out of position was traced to a child's AM transistor radio. Since then, I understand the airlines' and the FAA's qualms about any type of device that transmits being used on aircraft, especially during take-off and landing.
topnik
Member
Myth...
I've used, at least, CDMA cell phones on both US domestic and US/Overseas Military flights...and yes...in flight...
They haven't/didn't affect ANY navigation or communication equipment. I've even been in the "cockpit" with the permission of the Aircraft Commander when I used the phone.
No effect. Period.
Maybe anectdotal situations aren't useful...or maybe they are.
Who knows? I still believe it's a myth. Don't know the reason/rationale behind the myth...that's for someone else...
Spanky###
N_Jay said:
I've used, at least, CDMA cell phones on both US domestic and US/Overseas Military flights...and yes...in flight...
They haven't/didn't affect ANY navigation or communication equipment. I've even been in the "cockpit" with the permission of the Aircraft Commander when I used the phone.
No effect. Period.
Maybe anectdotal situations aren't useful...or maybe they are.
Who knows? I still believe it's a myth. Don't know the reason/rationale behind the myth...that's for someone else...
Spanky###
bassmkenk2508
Member
N_Jay said:
Exactly. It doesn't.
BUT look at what follows...
N_Jay said:
Exactly what it has nothing to do with. Quite the productive post.
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N_Jay
Guest
topnik said:
A few of things.
1) The restriction is for all radios (Specifically transmitters, but includes receivers due to LO leakage). (Cell phones are one type and not specifically called out as more or less of an issue.
2) CDMA generally causes less interference than TDMA formats
3) Your military equipment is probably Interference Hardened compared to commercial avionics
4) Anecdotal reports are interesting buy are not suitable for life safety issues.
topnik
Member
Fair enough, although...
a)...when you look at the individual Air Carrier rules...some do not restrict recievers...I've flown domestic and international carriers who/which have allowed the use of receivers...which would negate number one...(I've seen, via various test instruments, more "leakage" from laptops than cell phones or ham tranceivers...again, perhaps anecdotal)...
b) Fair enough...different modulation types will have different saturation rates...I'll bow to that one...although...GSM schemes don't cause problems either, be it on military or civilian transport (and, while military aircraft may be a bit more "hardened", there isn't anyone who can convince me that commercial air transport aircraft aren't very well immune to "run of the mill" interference, eg. cell phone regardless of the modulation scheme, low wattage ham radio or the emissions from a type accepted receiver);
c) Again, at least with my "anecdotal" experiences...I'm talking both military and civilian, commercial and private...
d) Had to call my experiences "anecdotal" because I'm not a part of any "condoned" or "official" test programs...
Suffice it to say, there should be more research on this subject by an uninterested party...one that is truly independent...if such a party can be found...great discussion nevertheless...
N_Jay said:
a)...when you look at the individual Air Carrier rules...some do not restrict recievers...I've flown domestic and international carriers who/which have allowed the use of receivers...which would negate number one...(I've seen, via various test instruments, more "leakage" from laptops than cell phones or ham tranceivers...again, perhaps anecdotal)...
b) Fair enough...different modulation types will have different saturation rates...I'll bow to that one...although...GSM schemes don't cause problems either, be it on military or civilian transport (and, while military aircraft may be a bit more "hardened", there isn't anyone who can convince me that commercial air transport aircraft aren't very well immune to "run of the mill" interference, eg. cell phone regardless of the modulation scheme, low wattage ham radio or the emissions from a type accepted receiver);
c) Again, at least with my "anecdotal" experiences...I'm talking both military and civilian, commercial and private...
d) Had to call my experiences "anecdotal" because I'm not a part of any "condoned" or "official" test programs...
Suffice it to say, there should be more research on this subject by an uninterested party...one that is truly independent...if such a party can be found...great discussion nevertheless...
Don_Burke
Member
The danger to the plane is a maybe. The risks have to be weighed.
I have trouble with the concept that someone's phone call would be more important than safety of life communications.
The problems in-flight phone use cause to the network can get pretty nasty.
I would have no problem with a provider pulling the service of offenders.
I have trouble with the concept that someone's phone call would be more important than safety of life communications.
The problems in-flight phone use cause to the network can get pretty nasty.
I would have no problem with a provider pulling the service of offenders.
Well, it still boils down to the each airline's policy as to what is and is not allowed to be used and, if allowed, when it is allowed.
(So, watch out for the Flight Attendant Nazis <Sorry, I couldn't resist. Just don't wear skimpy clothing on the plane, and you should be OK when flying SWA>.)
And, from 25K feet, I can imagine the confusion on the ground as to which tower with which to affiliate for how many nanoseconds before moving to the next tower.
(So, watch out for the Flight Attendant Nazis <Sorry, I couldn't resist. Just don't wear skimpy clothing on the plane, and you should be OK when flying SWA>.)
And, from 25K feet, I can imagine the confusion on the ground as to which tower with which to affiliate for how many nanoseconds before moving to the next tower.
Cell Phones on planes
The big issue with commercial aircraft is how do you play favorites? One or two cellular phones may not be a concern, but imagine if 400 people on a 747 all decide to phone at once. The safest policy is not to allow anyone to use it in flight.
Les
The big issue with commercial aircraft is how do you play favorites? One or two cellular phones may not be a concern, but imagine if 400 people on a 747 all decide to phone at once. The safest policy is not to allow anyone to use it in flight.
Les
topnik said:
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